South Bend, March 20, 1986
Defeated
An important debate was taking place today in the House of Representatives on President Reagan’s request for 100 million dollars military aid to the Contras in Nicaragua. On the one hand, the Communist threat in Central America was evoked, and on the other, warnings were expressed about the possibility that the United States could be dragged deeper and deeper into the civil war between the Contras and the Sandinistas, which could develop into a second Vietnam close to their own front door. The motion was defeated by a vote of 222 nays against 210 yeas. The Speaker of the House, Tip O’Neill, gave an impressive speech, calling on the representatives: “Vote your conscience.”
Addendum
[Thomas P. (“Tip”) O’Neill, Jr., was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1912. He was third generation of Irish descent. After graduating from Boston College, he was at first active in local politics. He served for many years as representative in the State House of Massachusetts. When John F. Kennedy, before his election to the U.S. Senate, gave up his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1952, O’Neill stepped into the breach. He easily won the election as Congressman for the 11th district of Massachusetts. In his home district in Cambridge with an electorate that consisted primarily of Irish and Italian immigrants O’Neill could not be beaten. He was reelected every two years time and again until 1987. For his adroit political maneuverability, he got the nickname “Tip,” which soon replaced his first name. As a Democrat he was a convinced adherent to the New Deal, but remained open-minded also to different opinions. He regarded politics as the art of what is possible. Tip O’Neill advanced to majority leader of the Democratic Party in the House of Representatives and in 1977 became Speaker of the House. He held that position for 10 years. He was a tall grown man, an imposing figure, who finally became the embodiment of “Mr. Speaker” per se. The speech of March 20, 1986 was his last great appearance in the House. Tip O’Neill retired in 1987. He died on January 5, 1994 in Boston.]
South Bend, March 24, 1986
The Fire Exchange
About 5 p.m. EST the news broke that in the afternoon and early evening hours U.S. naval forces exchanged fire with the Libyan military in the Gulf of Sidra. For months the United States has made it clear that it does not recognize the off-limit “death zone” declared by Muammar Qaddafi because the zone is in international waters. When the American 6th Fleet, carrying out maneuvers, crossed the line of the barred area in the Gulf of Sidra, it was promptly attacked by the Libyans with Soviet made missiles. Thereupon, the U.S. Navy destroyed the missile launching stations on shore and sank a Libyan fast patrol boat. The world is now waiting in suspense and worried about what the consequences of this incident will be.
Chicago, March 25, 1986
Hardly Taken Notice
At today’s excursion to Chicago, I could not see, except for the headlines in the newspapers, any agitation over the events in the Gulf of Sidra. The American public has hardly taken notice of it.
South Bend, [Good Friday], March 29, 1986
Haydn’s “Mass in time of war”
Joseph Haydn’s “Mass in time of war” was recorded by the Bavarian Radio Orchestra under the direction of Leonard Bernstein in Ottobeuren. On today’s Good Friday, this recording was broadcast on American television. The yearning for peace was strongly felt in this performance. Also, America’s deep-rooted bonds with the European cultural heritage could not have been overlooked.
[After his return to Vienna from his two year sojourn in England, Joseph Haydn composed in 1796 his Mass no.7 in C major, “Missa in tempore belli,” or in the English translation, “Mass in time of war.” It is popularly known as “Paukenmesse” (Kettledrum Mass).]
[Transl: The Benedictine Abbey Ottobeuren in Bavaria goes back to the 8th century. After its restoration in the early 18th century, Ottobeuren became known for its monumental expression of baroque architecture.]